The national RUOK? Day was a day of connections and conversations with Hill College raising awareness of the importance to starting meaningful conversations with peers, colleagues, family members, friends or anyone who you may notice are struggling.

 

Hill College shared decorated cookies and limited edition “RUOK?” KitKats to students which were all quickly taken! It was amazing to see everyone excited to grab a treat and to be checking-in with each other, inspired by the messages from the treats.

 

We understand that teenagers are one of the most vulnerable group for experiencing mental health hardship with 30% of all suicide deaths were young people aged 15-17 years in 20221. And about 8 people take their own lives in Australia every day. And for every death, it’s estimated another 30 people will attempt suicide. With that, 89% of people report knowing somebody who has made an attempt.

 

By inspiring people to take the time to ask, “Are you OK?” and listen, we can help people who are struggling with life to feel connected long before they even think about suicide.

 

The RUOK? Charity have a range of resources including the Conversation Guide which anyone can use to get insights for how to have a chat with someone. It’s not easy to keep the conversation going when someone says they’re not OK, but it could change a life.